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16 Sep 05 - 03:00 PM (#1565031) Subject: Folklore: Info required on wassailing From: Tradsinger I am about to research the wassailing custom. I am not starting from base zero as I have already come across a lot of information and song versions from my collecting in Gloucestershire. What I would like to know from Mudcatters is: - Are there any useful websites about wassailing? (the best I have seen so far is www.geocities.com/CapitolHill/5567/washist.html) - Are there any good studies of the geographical spread of the custom (both the orchard wassail and the doo-to-door wassail)? - Is there any information about the Sussex wassail, apart from the song? - ditto Kent. - Is the Mari Lwyd a wassail? - Are there any traces in Europe of wassailing, using the word wassail or similar? - does anyone know of any good repository of wassail pictures photos, videos, descriptions etc (apart from the obvious ones like folktrax, VWML, Doc Rowe)? - references to wassail in old texts, poems etc - references to 'beasts' in wassail (apart from the book 'Ritual Animal disguise'). - Kentucky wassail - survival or invention? - Any wassailing traces in the English-speaking world apart from England and Wales? Phew. That should get a few replies! Very grateful for any help as the intention is that it will lead to a series of workshops and talks at festivals. Thanks Gwilym (Tradsinger) |
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16 Sep 05 - 04:27 PM (#1565087) Subject: RE: Folklore: Info required on wassailing From: Sorcha Put wassailing in the main search box. Ask Google |
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16 Sep 05 - 05:00 PM (#1565107) Subject: RE: Folklore: Info required on wassailing From: Little Robyn Wassailing didn't really make it to New Zealand except in the form of Christmas caroling which, when I was a kid, (50 years ago), involved the local church choirs going from house to house. Nowadays even that has died out and the only ones still out there seem to be the Sallie Army, sitting on the back of a truck, just driving slowly through the streets. Wassail songs, however, can often be heard late at night at NZ folk festivals or Morris gatherings, winter or summer, Easter or New year. They're no longer attached to any particular date on the calendar, but just sung because they are good songs. The revival is alive and well and living in NZ! Wassail! Robyn |
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16 Sep 05 - 05:50 PM (#1565132) Subject: RE: Folklore: Info required on wassailing From: Barry Finn Hi Tradsinger I hope I can help a bit. Peter Kennedy recorded in 1961 "Folk Songs Britain Vol. 39 Songs of Ceremony". As of the time of this recording Peter says that this door to door tradition was still being carried from Cornwall to Yorkshire. The Cornish Wassail Song that Peter has this song in 2 parts. The 1st 2 verses are outside the house then after knocking on yhe door & entering call out"The compliments othe season to you all" & then sing 7 more verses. The New'r Even's Song from N Ronaldsay, Orkney seems to be some what of a relation to Wassail Songs, sung at Hogmanay. One person sang at the door & after finished the song she'd open the door & break a big oakcake over his head they'd then go inside to beg & sing. He also has the Mari Lwyd (translated as Grey Mary, Grey Mare & Grey Death) ceremony as a mid winter rite witha group of men accompanied by a man covered in a white sheet holding a broomstick with the sckull mounted on it. The compay is always alerted of it'd coming by the the Mri Lwyd's small bells. He's also has a recording of the Gower Wassil Songfrom Charlie Bate of Padstow & the Somerset Wassil Song from Harry & Walter Sealy & Ash Priors of Taunton, Somerset. Though there's there are only a few Wassil song on this LP it's well woorth digging up for the notes on the jacket sleeve & the accompanying May Day, Mummers song & the Carols. Also try to get your handson, if you don't already have it, Peter Kennedy's "Folk Songs of Britain & Ireland" 1975, not much in the way of Wassil but lists some good resources. Hope this has been a slight help. Barry |
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17 Sep 05 - 12:12 AM (#1565311) Subject: RE: Folklore: Info required on wassailing From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker .. might be worth contacting Eddie Upton at Folk South West http://www.folksw.org.uk/index.htm [for what its worth i'm from a family background involving cider and shotguns.. .. but thats just our own personal domestic tragedies..] ..and i still havent been to a proper wassail..!!?? |
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27 Dec 10 - 08:56 AM (#3061899) Subject: RE: Folklore: Info required on wassailing From: *#1 PEASANT* A great topic! http://mysite.verizon.net/cbladey/wassail.html The Wassail Epicenter Also check out my book on the topic: Do the Wassail A massive huge study will be out in a few months. Conrad |